From ring announcer to ringleader: Meet the Savannah Bananas’ ‘Chief Potassium Enthusiast’
Matt Graifer makes ESPN8: The Ocho history as he's appearing in two different sports - hosting his Bananas games Friday and Saturday and calling the Goodyear Blimp race Friday
Whether he’s dazzling crowds in a shiny tuxedo, orchestrating a pregame parade or calling The Goodyear Blimp Sky Race of the Century from the aircraft itself, there’s no doubt that The Savannah Bananas’ Chief Potassium Enthusiast, Matt Graifer, brings maximum energy to every stage he steps on.
This weekend, Graifer will be the first person ever to appear on ESPN8: The Ocho for two different sports – The Savannah Bananas (Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN and Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2) and The Goodyear Blimp Sky Race of the Century (Friday, 9:30 a.m., ESPN2).
Front Row asked Graifer about life with the Bananas and his unexpected blimp adventures.
How did you become Chief Potassium Enthusiast?
I started with the ‘Nanners during the 2022 Banana Ball World Tour when we took our show on the road to seven cities, which also happened to be when the world began to take notice of our shenanigans. I came in with lots of hosting experience, but mainly as a ring announcer in professional wrestling, MMA, and boxing. I brought my signature shiny tuxedos with me, and by mid-2023 I was in full swing as the loudest of the bunch.
What is your favorite Ocho sport?
Shamelessly, I’d have to say Banana Ball, however, I am really looking forward to seeing what the Microsoft Excel World Championship Finals this weekend!
What is a Savannah Bananas game day like for you?
It is both a marathon and a sprint! I am the writer/producer of our pregame show, “Before the Peel,’ so the morning is filled with meetings and rehearsals. I’m suited and booted by 2 p.m. (for a 7 p.m. game) when we have our “Rope Drop” plaza opening and see fans for the first time. At 5:30 p.m., our pregame show begins and its full tilt until the show – or game – is over, which is somewhere around 9 p.m. It’s a ton of fun and a massive undertaking. It’s both the hardest and the greatest job I’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you were asked to anchor SportsCenter for a day, who would you choose to be your co-anchor?
I would love to sit alongside [ESPN college football analyst] Pat McAfee for a day but, if I were to pick a zanier, Bananas-inspired answer: I’d have to request a three-man booth of myself with Statler & Waldorf of The Muppets. It would probably be the most fun episode of SportsCenter ever.
How did you get involved with The Goodyear Blimp Sky Race of the Century?
Goodyear reached out to me several months ago and it just so happened that my schedule aligned with this landmark event! In the 100-year history of the Goodyear Blimp, this is the first blimp race. I jumped at the opportunity to be the lead anchor for this one-of-a-kind showcase of dashing dirigibles!
Have you ridden on The Goodyear Blimp before?
I am one of the fortunate 0.0006% of Americans who can say that, yes, I have flown in The Goodyear Blimp.
For more details on this year’s ESPN8: The Ocho, visit ESPN Press Room
For more details on ESPN’s Savannah Bananas coverage, visit ESPN Press Room
